Friday, December 31, 2010

Olivia has taken a pacifier since birth when she is going to sleep. We rarely let her have it out of her crib. We even have a little bucket that sits on her dresser that she puts her paci in when she wakes up. But she did need it and ask for it when she was going to sleep.

Yesterday when she woke up I told her that she didn't need her paci anymore because she was a big girl. I asked her if she wanted to throw it in the garbage and she said "uh huh". She walked right to the trash can and threw it away. We then got the other paci's that were in her diaper bag and in the bucket on her dresser and she threw all of those away too! Then she helped me tie up the bag and carry it outside. (I didn't want her going to retrieve them later.)

I was a little nervous as nap time approached. I laid her down and she asked for paci. I reminded her that she threw them away and then left the room. I heard her talking for a minute and then silence. I checked a few minutes later and she was fast asleep with no paci and no tears!

The next challenge was going to be bed time and waking in the night. Ken put her in her crib and walked out of the room. No paci and no crying! She slept all night with no paci!

We used the same throw it away method with Ella when she was this age and it worked like a charm too.

And to prove that it wasn't traumatic at all, here is my big girl enjoying her new wagon.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Since we had a white Christmas in Louisville the kids were able to go outside and play. Olivia didn't like the snow at all! She kept saying "I cold, I cold". So we took her back inside after a quick picture.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Each year we travel to Louisville to spend Christmas at my Grandparents house. This is where we always spent Christmas when I was younger and I couldn't imagine spending it anywhere else (even if I do joke about skipping it next year and just going to Disney instead).

On Christmas Eve Ella always likes to put out Reindeer food. This year we got to sprinkle it on a fresh layer of SNOW!

Hanging the stockings.

Ella thought we should leave Santa a healthy snack this year.

Ella got everything she asked for... a TV, DVD player, Candy, a scooter, a highchair for her American Girl Doll, movies and much more.

Olivia also got lots of things for Christmas... a wagon, a Bitty Baby, Elmo house shoes (which she loves to wear) and lots more.

I just realized that I don't have any pictures of the 4 of us. I will have to make sure I get some this weekend when we celebrate Christmas with Ken's family.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Tonight we took our annual trip to Bass Pro to visit Santa. Ella took her time today making her letter to Santa. She was so nice and also made one for Olivia.

I have always been able to use my own camera to capture the moment, but this year I was told that I couldn't. So here is a picture of the picture of their visit with Santa.

Olivia did not enjoy it! But it didn't take long for her to get over it.

Then we enjoyed decorating cookies.

We are all ready for Christmas now!

I have an update on our Christmas light issue. Last night when we were leaving the house I noticed that the middle section of the lights on our garland around our door was out. It was still out when we got home. Tonight it was back on! I think someone must be playing a trick on me. It is not funny!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

It is so frustrating when one strand of lights on your Christmas tree goes out. I feel like everyone who drives past our house is thinking "Wow, they need to put more lights on their tree". However, I refuse to take the decorations off, remove the strand of lights, put new lights on and then redecorate. I suppose we could close the curtains and then I wouldn't offend the people passing by with my halfway unlit tree. Next year I will buy all new lights and everyone will think "Wow, those lights are bright", they might just have to put their sunglasses on!

Friday, December 10, 2010

That's right the Circus! And you know it will require outfits to be made.

Ella doesn't know we are going yet. I am hoping to get the outfits made and wrap them with a note telling her we are going to the Circus and let it be an early Christmas present. Although I think it might be difficult to sew something at the kitchen table without her noticing. I better get busy, I only have until tomorrow at 5:00.

Monday, December 6, 2010

On Saturday we went to the Christmas Parade that our town has every year. We got there early to get a good spot. The weather was cool, but very nice compared to years past.

While waiting for the parade to reach us (we usually sit near the end of the parade route) we were entertained by different people in the crowd singing Christmas songs. Ella got brave and sang "Go Tell It On The Mountain" in front of everyone, in a microphone!

The wind began to pick up and it got VERY cold. There really was no point in sitting in the freezing cold, listening to Ella say that she was sooo cold and wanted to go home. I mean it's hard to watch a parade when your face is buried in a blanket. So we went home, warmed up, took the kids to my parents house and still had time to make it to the basketball game! (Which was way more exciting for me and Ken anyway.)

About Me

My name is Anna and I have been married to my husband Ken for 9 years. We have two beautiful daughters, Ella and Olivia. I love spending time with my family, photography, scrapbooking, sewing, and shopping.